Cable management panel with sliding drawer

ABSTRACT

An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slideable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/492,304,filed Jul. 25, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,154; which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 10/894,898, filed Jul. 20, 2004, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,120,348; which is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/306,816, filed Nov. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,111; which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 09/649,398, filed Aug. 28, 2000,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,988; which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 09/490,379, filed Jan. 24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,438,310; which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with management of optical fibercables. The management device of the present invention has particularapplication in the telecommunications industry with respect to storageand/or connection of optical fiber cables with other cables and devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable termination, splice and storage devices are known including, forexample, devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,792,203 and 5,946,440, bothissued to ADC Telecommunications, Inc. Both of these patents concerndevices with moveable trays for storage and management of the opticalfiber cables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,149, also issued to ADCTelecommunications, Inc., concerns a cable management device includingslideable drawers each including a cable slack take-up mechanism.

When moving the trays or drawers, unnecessary or excessive displacementof the optical fiber cables is undesirable. As the optical fiber cablesare displaced, they are subject to bending and other forces. Bending ofthe fibers can cause attenuation and loss of signal strength. As a fiberbends, the fiber can also break, resulting in a loss of transmissionthrough the fiber.

There is a continued need in the art for further cable managementdevices which address such concerns in the telecommunications industryas ease of use, size, reliability, cost, and protection of the fibers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cable management panel includes a chassis, and at least one drawerslideably mounted within the chassis. The drawer is slideable between afirst position with the drawer fully inserted within the chassis and asecond position with the drawer extended from the interior of thechassis. An access location allows entry and exit of optical fibercables into a side of the chassis and the drawer. One aspect of thepresent invention includes a fiber take-up mechanism including a pushmember slideably mounted on the drawer and further slideably mountedrelative to the chassis. The push member is moveable from a firstposition on the drawer toward a second position on the drawer which isforward of the first position as the drawer is moved from the secondposition to the first position.

One aspect of the push member includes a trough section or retainingoptical fiber cables. The trough section may include a flared end forfurther cable protection. The push member may include a cover over aportion of the trough section for further retaining optical fibercables. Preferably the push member including the trough section includesa curved shape.

A further aspect of the push member preferably includes an upperretention member for retaining optical fiber cables with the push memberduring use. Preferably the retention member includes a projecting tab.

The drawer preferably receives a drop-in plate including cable storageor cable connection structure for cables entering the panel. In oneembodiment, the drop-in plates latch to the drawer.

Another aspect of the push member preferably includes a controlmechanism for controlling movement of the push member between the firstand second positions as the drawer is moved between the second and firstpositions. In one preferred embodiment, the control mechanism moves thepush member in synchronized movement with movement of the drawerrelative to the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable management panel or module inaccordance with the present invention, shown with one of the drawers inthe open position, and shown without the tray insert;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the cable management panel of FIG.1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view through a portion of the chassisshowing the retention system of the take-up mechanism;

FIG. 3B is a further cross-sectional view of a portion of the take-upmechanism along lines 3B-3B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the left side of the cablemanagement panel as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the right side of thecable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the cable management panel of FIG. 2 with afirst tray insert positioned in the drawer;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tray insert of FIG. 6, with two ofthe storage trays in flipped positions;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the tray insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the tray insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the tray insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the stacks of storagetrays;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of one of the stacks of storage trays withsome of the trays removed for viewing;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged exploded view of the storage trays of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14A and B show a second embodiment of a tray insert usable in thecable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 15A and B show a third embodiment of a tray insert usable in thecable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 16A and B show a fourth embodiment of a tray insert usable in thecable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 17A and B show a fifth embodiment of a tray insert usable in thecable management panel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 18A-E show the drawer in various positions during opening from theclosed position of FIG. 18A through the nearly completely open positionof FIG. 18E, the completely open position being shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 19A-D show the drawer in various positions during closing from thecompletely open position of FIG. 2 through the nearly completely closedposition of FIG. 19D, just prior to being placed in the fully closedposition of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative cable management panelincluding a drawer with a modified take-up mechanism including furthercable retention members;

FIG. 21 shows the drawer of the cable management panel of FIG. 20 in theextended position, with the cable retention tabs extended upwardly topermit access to the cables in the trough section;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the push member of the take-upmechanism of FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 23 shows the push member of FIG. 22 with the cable retention tabslifted upwardly;

FIG. 24 is a cross-section along lines 24-24 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a cross-section along lines 25-25 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows the push member of FIG. 22 without the cable retentiontabs;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the push member of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further modified take-up mechanism tothe take-up mechanism shown in FIGS. 20-27;

FIGS. 29-31 show perspective, top, and side views of a furtheralternative cable management panel including a drawer with a modifiedtake-up mechanism including a wheel, with portions of the panel removedfor viewing;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged portion of the modified take-up mechanism ofFIGS. 29-31;

FIGS. 33-35 show perspective, top, and side views of the cablemanagement panel of FIGS. 29-32, with the drawer partially opened;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged portion of the take-up mechanism in the partiallyopened position of FIGS. 33-35;

FIGS. 37-39 show perspective, top, and side views of the cablemanagement panel of FIGS. 29-32, with the drawer fully opened;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are enlarged perspective and side views of the take-upmechanism of the fully opened drawer of FIGS. 37-39;

FIG. 41A shows a perspective view of the extension of the take-upmechanism of FIGS. 29-41;

FIGS. 42-44 show exploded perspective, side, and top views of a furthermodified take-up mechanism including a rack and pinion instead of awheel as shown in FIGS. 29-41;

FIGS. 45-53 show various views of a further alternative cable managementpanel including a drawer with a modified take-up mechanism includingchassis and drawer detents for controlling movement of the push member;

FIG. 54 shows a top view of a further alternative cable management panelincluding a drawer with a modified take-up mechanism including a springbiased push member;

FIG. 55 shows a latch for latching the drop-in plate within the drawer;and

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of the latch of FIG. 55.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the several drawing figures in which identical elementsare numbered identically, a cable management panel or module 10according to the present invention is shown. Panel 10 includes a frameor chassis 12 with side brackets 14 for mounting to a rack, cabinet,enclosure, or other mounting fixture. Chassis 12 includes a front 16,opposed sides 18, and a rear 20. Sides 18 each include cable accessopenings 22 for cables entering or exiting chassis 12. Chassis 12further includes one or more drawers 26 which slide horizontally duringuse to access the interior of a selected drawer.

Each drawer 26 includes cable management structure, as will be describedmore fully below. Examples of cable management structure include devicesfor storing the cables or connecting the cables to other cables and/orfiber optic devices, such as attenuators, couplers, switches, wavedivisions multiplexers (WDMs), splitters/combiners, or splices. Drawers26 are slideable relative to chassis 12 via two drawer slides 28 onopposite sides of chassis 12. Each drawer 26 includes two latches 30 forlatching the drawer 26 in the closed position. Each latch 30 engages aside hole 32 in side 18 of chassis 12. Each drawer 26 further includes afront 32, a rear 34, and a base 36. Open sides 37 allow for cable entryand exit and prevent cable damage during sliding movement of drawers 26when accessing the cables and the connectors or other devices in thedrawer. Take-up mechanisms are provided, as described below, formanaging the cables during sliding movement of drawers 26. The cableguides and radius limiters described below are provided so as to protectthe cables and limit bends from going below the minimum bend radius ofthe cable. The cable retention tabs also described below help keep thecables in place once positioned under the tabs by the user.

Each drawer interior is sized for receiving cable management and/ordistribution structure. When the drawer is in the closed position, thecables and management or distribution structures in the interior areprotected. In the preferred embodiments, the structure can beconveniently mounted on a tray insert which drops into the interior ofdrawer 26. This allows for convenient structuring of drawer 26 to serveone or more desired functions in module 10. FIG. 6 shows one preferredembodiment of a tray insert or drop-in plate 40 in accordance with thepresent invention. The tray inserts can be customized as the particularneeds vary for panel 10. Alternatively, each drawer 26 can be assembledwith the components mounted directly to the drawer bottom. Preferably,the individual drawers 26 are constructed as stackable and linkablesub-modules 10 a, each with a sub-chassis 12 a. Such modularity alsoallows for ease of use for a variety of different needs for the cablemanagement system. Brackets 14 link the sub-chassis 12 a together. FIG.6 also shows one example cable pathway 90 into panel 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, base 36 of drawer 26 includes side plates42, a central bottom 44, and an angled transition section 46 on eachside of bottom 44 connecting to side plates. Base 36 further includes akey 48 adjacent to front 32. One or more slots 50 are positioned in rear34. Key 48 and slots 50 are usable in mounting tray inserts 40 to drawer26. Fasteners (screws) in holes 49 may also be used to secure trayinserts 40 to drawers 26. Alternatively, one or more latches 27 can beused to releasably mount each tray insert 40 to drawer 26, as shown inFIGS. 55 and 56. Each latch 27 is manually moveable to allow release oftray insert 40, by moving latch 27 in the direction of arrow A. To mounttray insert 40 to drawer 26, tray insert 40 automatically moves latch 27in the direction of arrow A, thereby permitting convenient assembly.

Side plates 42 of base 36 of drawers 26 include longitudinal slots 52.Side plates 42 also mount to one end of each of slides 28 with fastenersthrough holes 43. Inwardly projecting side ledges 51 of chassis 12 eachinclude longitudinal slots 53 and side notches 54, 56 which cooperatewith a take-up mechanism 58 on each side of drawer 26 for managingoptical fibers entering and exiting cable management panel 10. Sideledges 51 also mount to the opposite ends of drawer slides 28 withfasteners through holes 55. Side plates 42 are configured as raisedsurfaces or ledges which are positioned over drawer slides 28 andportions of take-up mechanism 58. Slots 52, 53 vertically overlap whendrawer 26 is closed.

Take-up mechanism 58 includes a push member or radius limiter 62,preferably shaped as a half-moon or semi-circle, each with the curvedportion 86 facing inwardly, and the planar portion 88 facing outwards.Radius limiter 62 includes a plurality of tabs 64 for cable retention.In one preferred embodiment, tabs 64 include snaps 66 which are receivedin slots 68 of radius limiter 62. Extending rearwardly and beneathradius limiter 62 is an extension 70 which includes a flexible rear tab72, and a lower tab 73, both for receipt in slot 53. Tab 73 includeslips 75 to snap mount to slot 53. Extension 70 also snaps to anunderside of radius limiter 62 with snaps 74 which are slideablypositioned in slots 52. Radius limiter 62 is therefore moveably mountedrelative to chassis 12 and drawer 26. Radius limiter 62 acts as a guidefor cables passing through access opening 22 on each side of drawer 26.

Retention structure is provided with take-up mechanism 58 to limitmovement of radius limiter 62 to selected times for better control andpositioning of the cables. As will be described below, projection 72 aof tab 72 resides in notch 56 to allow drawer 26 to slide rearwardlyrelative to radius limiter 62, during closing. Slot 52 eventuallybottoms out and moves projection 72 a out of notch 56, thereby causingradius limiter 62 to move rearwardly with drawer 26. Notch 54 alsoretains radius limiter 62 relative to chassis 12 during initial openingof drawer 26. Each notch 54, 56 includes a ramped surface 54 a, 56 aallowing release of radius limiter 62 as drawer 26 pulls or pushes onprojection 72 a during use.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-14, tray insert 40 includes a base 100including a front notch 102, and rear projections 104. Front notch 102receives key 48, and projections 104 are received by slots 50 in drawer26. Side edges 106 are positioned adjacent transition sections 46 ofbase 36 of drawer 26. Base 100 also includes two upwardly extending rearradius limiters 108. Each radius limiter 108 includes a main arcuatesection 110, a plurality of outwardly extending retention tabs 112, anda lower notch 114 which is positioned over transition section 46 andside plate 42 of base 36 of drawer 26. Cables entering drawer 26 extendfrom side access opening 22, to take-up mechanism 58 to rear radiuslimiter 108. FIG. 6 shows take-up mechanism 58 cooperating with radiuslimiter 108 for guiding cable 90 into drawer 26.

Base 100 of example tray insert 40 further includes one or more stacks116 of rotatably mounted or flippable storage trays 118. Four stacks 116are shown for insert 40. The trays 118 on the right and left sides flipin opposite directions as shown in FIG. 9. By flipping the trays 118,access to the underneath trays in each stack is provided.

Each tray 118 includes a planar base 120, surrounded by an outerperipheral edge 122. Inwardly extending tabs 124 are provided for cablemanagement. A center spool 126 extends upwardly from base 118, andincludes a plurality of cable retention tabs 128. Tray 118 furtherincludes two entry/exit points 130. Cable retention tabs 131 arepositioned at each entry/exit point 130. Finger tabs 132 can be graspedby a user's finger to rotate each tray 118 about its rotation axis 133.Each tray 118 in stack 116 is rotatably mounted to base 100 with astepped tray mount 140. Tray 118 includes two projections 142, eachhaving an outwardly projecting pivot post or pin 144 and an outwardlyprojecting retention tab or bump 146. Tray mount 140 includes opposedand staggered mounting plates or locations 150 each having holes 154 forreceiving pins 144 of trays 118. The staggering, or stair-step, allowsfor identical trays to be flipped from a horizontal position upwardly soas to allow user access to each tray.

A detent arrangement is provided for holding the trays in the flippedpositions. Mounting plates 150 each include a notch or groove 156 sizedfor receiving tab 146 of each projection 142 to maintain each tray in anupward pivoted position when placed there by the user. The trays 118stay pivoted upwardly to allow easy and hands-free access to the trayunderneath the flipped trays. Notches 156 and tabs 146 act parallel tothe rotation axis of each tray 118. Preferably, trays 118 and tray mount140 are made from plastic. Pins 144 preferably snap into holes 154 tomount trays 118 to tray mount 140. Cable enters tray 118 at one ofpoints 130, and is wound around spool 126 an appropriate number oftimes. The cable then exits tray 118 at one of the points 130. In theexample shown, one cable 90 is stored per tray 118 (See FIGS. 6 and 8).

Referring now to FIGS. 14A and B, a second preferred embodiment of atray insert 240 is shown including some common parts as insert 40, andsome different parts. Insert 240 includes a similar planar base 100 withfront notch 102 and rear projections 104. Base 100 of tray insert 240also includes rear radius limiters 108. Base 100 is similar in profile,but may have different structure, for example, holes, for mounting thevarious cable management devices to tray insert 240. Tray insert 240also includes two front stacks 116 of trays 118. Insert 240 differs inthat it also includes side radius limiters 242 and retention tabs 243positioned on opposite sides of base 100 adjacent to stacks 116 of trays118. Base 100 further includes adapters 244 for connection to fiberoptic connectors. Adapters 244 are preferably movably mounted to base100 in sliding adapter arrangement 250. Lever arm 252 allows a slideassembly 254 to be lifted upwardly to provide easier access to adapters244. Each pair of adapters 244 is separately movable with eachrespective lever 252. Further details of an example of a sliding adapterarrangement like that shown is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,444, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other adapterarrangements are possible, including arrangements which do not includemovable adapters. Tray insert 240 also includes a wave divisionmultiplexer arrangement with wave division multiplexers (WDMs) 260connectable to the cables in drawer 26. Cables enter tray insert 240 forconnection to adapters 244, and further connection to WDMs 260. Excesscable lengths can be stored in trays 118 and/or wound past limiters 242.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A and B, a third preferred embodiment of a trayinsert 340 is shown including rear radius limiting spools 342 with tabs343 and an optical service channel device (OSC) 344. Sliding adapterassemblies like assemblies 250 can be provided on base 100 at region346. Cables enter tray insert 340 for connection to OSC 344, andadapters (if provided). Excess cable is stored in trays 118. Cablepasses by spools 342 or limiters 242 to take up the excess and toprevent excessive bending or stress on the fibers.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and B, a fourth preferred embodiment of atray insert 440 is shown. A plurality of sliding adapter arrangements250 are shown on one portion of base 100. Attenuators 442 are shown on asecond portion of base 100. Fibers enter and exit tray insert 440 andare connected through adapters 244 and attenuators 442. Radius limiters444, 446 with tabs 448, 450 are provided for assisting management of thecables.

Referring now to FIGS. 17A and B, a fifth preferred embodiment of a trayinsert 550 is shown. Sliding adapter arrangements 250 are positioned ina central portion of base 100, and a plurality of radius limiters 542with tabs 543 are positioned to provide variable and selectable pathwaysfor storage of the cables on insert 550. Adapters 244 can each beprovided with a built-in attenuator.

FIGS. 18A-E and 19A-D illustrate in combination with FIG. 2 thepositioning of take-up mechanism 58 during use to prevent undue stress,pulling or pushing on the cables (optical fibers) entering and exitingmodule 10 through side access openings 22. Radius limiter 62 and tab 72are held in place relative to chassis 12 by rear notch 54 until drawer26 has moved forward a sufficient amount, such as when a rear end 80 ofslot 52 engages the connection between radius limiter 62 and extension70 (compare FIGS. 18C and 18D). At that point, radius limiter 62 moveswith drawer 26 toward the open position.

In the present example, drawer 26 and radius limiter 62 stop moving withrespect to chassis 12 when lower tab 73 reaches a front end 81 of slot53 and tab 72 is positioned in front notch 56. Alternatively, drawerslides 28 can limit the sliding extension of drawer 26. As shown in FIG.2, drawer 26 is now in the completely open position.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A-D, front notch 56 maintains radius limiter 62in position relative to chassis 12 while drawer 26 begins rearwardmovement during closing of drawer 26. As shown in FIGS. 19B and 4,engagement of a front end 82 of slot 52 with the connection betweenradius limiter 62 and extension 70 causes rearward movement of radiuslimiter 62 with drawer 26 to the closed position shown in FIG. 18A.

In the example module 10, two take-up mechanisms 58 are provided, onefor each side access opening 22. For ease of manufacturing, the sameextension 70 and radius limiter 62 are used for each mechanism. Radiuslimiter 62 is flipped about a vertical axis when used to assemble thetake-up mechanism on the opposite side of drawer 26. Tabs 64 are placedin the flipped radius limiter 62 to appropriately retain cablespositioned around radius limiter 62. For a similar reason, trays 118 canbe mounted on either side of drawer 26. Trays 118 are symmetrical abouta center axis 145

The configuration of the interior of drawer 26 can vary as the desiredfunctions for panel 10 vary. The examples of FIGS. 6-17A and B areprovided to show some of the variations possible.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show a modified panel 510 including a modified take-upmechanism 558. FIGS. 22-27 show further details of the modified take-upmechanism 558. Take-up mechanism 558 includes a push member or radiuslimiter 562 which functions in a similar manner as radius limiter 62noted above. Radius limiter 562 includes a trough section 570 whichcooperates with curved portion 586 of radius limiter 562 and tabs 564 toassist with cable retention during use. In a similar manner as formodule 10, tabs 564 include snaps 566 which snap into slots 568. Radiuslimiter 562 mounts in a similar manner to drawer 512 and chassis 526 asnoted above for take-up mechanism 58 including the push member 62 so asto assist with cable management for cables entering at opening 522 ofchassis 526. A similar arrangement (not shown) is positioned on the leftside of drawer 512.

Trough section 570 includes a base 572 and an outer wall 574. Outer wall574 is curved in a similar manner as curved portion 586 of radiuslimiter 562. The curved shape directs cables from the side of module510, toward a rear of drawer 512. Preferably, trough section 570includes a trumpeted or flared end 576, along the U-shape to avoidexposing the cables to sharp edges which may cause damage to the cablesif tension is applied to the cables and the cables are bent below theminimum bend radius. Push member 562 is configured for use on the rightside of 512. A mirror image of push member 562 can be used on the leftside of drawer 512.

Outer wall 574 includes upper notches 578 for ends 565 of tabs 564. Oncetabs 564 are snapped with snaps 566 into slots 568, tabs 564 areretained with radius limiter 562. Tabs 564 form a cover over a portionof trough 570 to retain the cables. In the example embodiment of FIGS.20-27, a cable area 580 has a generally closed perimeter at tabs 564,base 572 and outer wall 574 to define the cable retention area. Whileaccess openings can be provided for continuous cable access, the presentembodiment is designed for selective access whereby tabs 564 can bepartially lifted upwardly, as shown in FIGS. 21, 23, and 25. Tabs 564are moved in a direction of arrow A for each tab 564 to release aportion of snap 566. Such movement allows for the pivoting upwardmovement of end 565 of tab 564, thereby allowing easy access for cablepositioning within trough 570, or cable removal.

A modified radius limiter 662 is shown in FIG. 28. Instead of moveabletabs 564, radius limiter 662 includes fixed, opposed tabs 664, 665 whichallow cables to be manually placed in cable area 680 by positioning thecables around the openings defined by opposed tabs 664, 665.

The embodiments above seek to control movement of the radius limiterthrough the detent and notch mechanisms. Referring now to FIGS. 29-41, adrawer 726 is slidably mounted to a chassis 712, in a similar manner asdrawer 26 and chassis 12, described above. A base 736 of drawer 726includes side plates 742, each including a slot 752. A take-up mechanism758 includes a radius limiter 762, of the type described above. It is tobe appreciated that radius limiter 762 could include the various cablemanagement features of radius limiters 562, 662, described above.Movement of radius limiter 762 is controlled with synchronized movementwith drawer 726 with a linear bearing arrangement. An extension 770mounts to radius limiter 762 through slot 752. Extension 770 includes arearward projection 772 including a rotatable wheel 774, and an upwardlyprojecting tab 776. Wheel 774 includes two rotating discs 775 covered bya resilient O-ring 777.

Chassis 712 includes side ledges 751. Rear projection 772 of extension770 is positioned between one of side ledges 751 of chassis 712 and oneof side plates 742 of drawer 726. During slideable movement of drawer726, relative to chassis 712, side plate 742 and side ledge 751 aremoving in opposite directions relative to one another, with wheel 774positioned therebetween. Radius limiter 762 thereby moves relative tochassis 712 at a reduced speed relative to drawer 726. Because wheel 774is in rolling engagement with both drawer 726 and chassis 712, radiuslimiter 762 moves at one-half the speed of drawer 726. The speed couldbe varied if a stepped wheel 774 was provided. In that case, drawer 726would contact one diameter and chassis 712 would contact anotherdiameter. Moving the limiter 762 at one-half the speed of drawer 726 isuseful for cable protection.

Side ledges 751 each include a rear stop 753 and at least one forwardramp 754. Two ramps 754 a, b are provided to assist with desiredmovement of radius limiter 762 when drawer 726 is opened. By referencingFIGS. 37-41, front ramp 754 a prevents sliding of wheel 774 until wheel774 is reengaged by side plate 742. Rear ramp 754 b is positioned sothat should drawer 726 not be fully opened wherein front ramp 754 a isnot engaged, rear ramp 754 b holds wheel 774 until side plate 742reengages. Side ledges 751 also include a front stop 756 to limitmovement of radius limiter 762.

Slot 752 includes enlarged area 760 for receipt of snaps 780 ofextension 770 to snap extension 770 to radius limiter 762. Once snaps780 are positioned in enlarged areas 760, extension 770 can be slidrearwardly for sliding relative movement relative to drawer 726.

Referring now to FIGS. 42-44, a modified rear projection 872 is shownincluding two toothed wheels 874 a, b. Each toothed wheel 874 a, bincludes opposed toothed discs 876 mounted for simultaneous rotation onopposite sides of extension member 873. The toothed wheels 874 a, b arelinked with bars 878 to maintain synchronization between toothed wheels874 a, b. During relative movement of drawer 826 and chassis 812, rearprojection 872 moves at a reduced speed relative to drawer 826. Rearprojection 872 and racks 879, 881 cause the radius limiter to move atone-half the speed of drawer 826. Different speeds can be achieved byusing different sized discs 876 for engaging drawer 826 and chassis 812,respectively. The two toothed wheels 874 a, b are provided to maintainsynchronization when drawer 826 is pulled to the fully opened positionwherein drawer 826 is not engaged with rear toothed wheel 874 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 45-53, drawer 926 is provided with a front detent928 which will overcome rear chassis detent 930 as drawer 926 is opened.This retains radius limiter 962 towards the front of drawer 926 as it isopened, keeping tension on the cables. The final rearward position ofradius limiter 962 in the direction of arrow B will depend on the amountof slack in the cables. A front chassis detent (not visible) can beprovided as in panel 10 for limiting the travel of radius limiter 962forward relative to chassis 912. Further, the front chassis detentallows drawer 926 to move rearwardly before the radius limiter 962 movesrearwardly. Each detent includes a tab 940, 944, on extension 970 and anotch 942, 946.

Tension in the cables will pull tab 940 out of notch 942 in thedirection of arrow C during opening. During closure of drawer 926,radius limiter 962 moves with drawer 926 (assuming no front chassisdetent), thereby protecting the slack in the cables.

Referring now to FIG. 54, a further take-up mechanism 1058 is shownwhere radius limiter 1062 is slideably mounted to chassis 1012 anddrawer 1026. A spring 1070 applies a bias to radius limiter 1062 to biasit toward a forward position in the direction of arrow D in drawer 1026.A cable 1072 extends from spring 1070 around tab 1074 to radius limiter1062. When drawer 1026 is opened, radius limiter 1062 only movesforwardly enough to keep desired tension on the cables under tabs 1064.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A cable management panel, comprising: a) a chassis; b) a drawerslidably mounted to the chassis; and c) a radius-limiter mounted to thedrawer; d) a control mechanism including a rotating member engaged withat least one of the chassis and the drawer; e) wherein the radiuslimiter moves in synchronized movement relative to movement of thedrawer, the synchronized movement being controlled by the controlmechanism.
 2. The cable management panel of claim 1, wherein the radiuslimiter includes a curved vertical surface that limits the bend radiusof cables.
 3. The cable management panel of claim 2, wherein the radiuslimiter includes a cable retention tab spaced from the drawer, the cableretention tab being located adjacent to the curved vertical surface. 4.The cable management panel of claim 1 wherein the rotating member is awheel.
 5. The cable management panel of claim 1, wherein the chassis andthe drawer define an access location that allows entry of the cablesinto a side of the chassis.
 6. The cable management panel of claim 1,wherein the drawer has a bottom defined by a removable bottom plate. 7.The cable management panel of claim 6, wherein the removable bottomplate includes a notch that engages a key provided on the drawer.
 8. Acable management panel, comprising: a) a chassis; b) a drawer slidablymounted to the chassis; and c) a radius limiter slidably mounted to thedrawer, the radius limiter including: i) a U-shaped cable trough sectionincluding a curved outer wall, a curved inner wall, and a base extendingbetween the curved outer and inner walls; ii) wherein the curved outerand inner walls and the base define first and second open ends of theU-shaped cable trough section; the first open end of the U-shaped cabletrough section being directed toward a side of the drawer, the secondopen end of the U-shaped cable trough section being directedtransversely toward a rear of the drawer.
 9. The cable management panelof claim 8, wherein the radius limiter moves in synchronized movementrelative to movement of the drawer.
 10. The cable management panel ofclaim 8, wherein the first open end of the trough section is a flaredopen end that is located adjacent to the side of the drawer.
 11. Thecable management panel of claim 8, wherein the radius limiter includes acable retaining tab spaced from the base of the trough section.
 12. Thecable management of claim 11, wherein the cable retaining tab ispivotally mounted to one of the outer and inner walls.
 13. The cablemanagement panel of claim 12, wherein radius limiter includes two cableretaining tabs each pivotally mounted to one of the outer and innerwalls.
 14. The cable management panel of claim 11, wherein the radiuslimiter includes two cable retaining tabs spaced from the base, one tabextending across the trough section in a first direction, the other tabextending across the trough section in a second direction transverse tothe first direction.
 15. A cable management panel, comprising: a) achassis; b) a drawer slidably mounted to the chassis, the drawer havinga bottom defined by a removable bottom plate; and c) a radius-limitermounted to the drawer; d) wherein the radius limiter moves insynchronized movement relative to movement of the drawer.
 16. The cablemanagement panel of claim 15, wherein the removable bottom plateincludes a notch that engages a key provided on the drawer.